rich 1.0 Action Network https://actionnetwork.org <link href='https://actionnetwork.org/css/style-embed-v3.css' rel='stylesheet' type='text/css' /><script src='https://actionnetwork.org/widgets/v6/petition/do-not-shrink-childcare-during-a-childcare-crisis?format=js&source=widget'></script><div id='can-petition-area-do-not-shrink-childcare-during-a-childcare-crisis' style='width: 100%'><!-- this div is the target for our HTML insertion --></div> Torrie Amaratunge https://actionnetwork.org/users/torrie-amaratunge/profile https://actionnetwork.org//images/generic_facebook.jpg Licensed childcare is already in crisis in Washington State. DCYF’s decision to cap capacity increase waivers at 16 children will eliminate licensed childcare slots statewide by June 30, 2026. This will force families out of safe, regulated care and push parents out of the workforce. When licensed childcare disappears, families do not stop needing care. Parents are pushed into unlicensed and unregulated arrangements where children are more likely to be harmed. For many children, childcare is also where they receive reliable meals, stability, early learning, and protection from mandated reporters. Cutting childcare capacity does not improve safety. It creates a dangerous trickle-down effect that leads to job loss, housing instability, and preventable harm to children. No one should be cutting childcare during a childcare crisis. https://actionnetwork.org/petitions/do-not-shrink-childcare-during-a-childcare-crisis